This saturday afternoon in Palawan province, Abraham Kahil Mitra, Palawan’s second district congressman,
a leading supporter of the Administraition coalition of President Arroyo in the house of representatives.
Has filed for his candidacy for Governor, among the photo’s of papers posted online by his supporters show Mitra’s candidac papers were filed under the banner of the Liberal Party, of Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III and Mar Roxas, the leading opposition standard bearers also filed thier candidacy today both are his former Colleagues in congress both are running under the Liberal Party banner for President and Vice President.

Baham’s late father, Ramon V. Mitra, then a Senator from Palawan father served in the pre-martial law 1970′s senate alongside with Roxas and Aquino’s father’s and was part of a group of senators called the ‘young turks’ of Philipine politics all under the then Liberal party.

The common political history the men share also is during the martial law era and all have long term family ties between Mitra, Aquino, and Roxas decades of living as the children of leading opposition figures of the Philippines in 1970′s and 80′s are now following in their fathers footsteps.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Natividad

So far there has been no formal statement online from Mitra or others on his ticket, the photo’s were posted online on one of his supporters social networking site. MikeinManila sought and received permission from Ryan Nativiad who posted the original photo’s.
No statement accompanied the filing of the papers by the campaign except for a caption of his ‘ticket’ or line-up the names and photos of those present include a who’s – who of Palawan and national political figures.
A quick online search revealed, that up to earlier this week Mitra was listed as part of the administration coalition in the house of representatives.
Politics, however at local level in the Philippines often includes several party groups sponsoring candidates as ‘guest candidates’ for national parties in order to add a wider base of support.

The leading contender, versus Congressman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra for Palawan’s gubernatorial race is Businessman and Philanthropist Jose C. Alvarez a longtime palawan businessman and investor as well as a former political supporter of Cong. Mitra’s father. Alvarez’s brother, Antonio is a congressman in Palawan’s first district.

Seen at the filing in photo’s posted online were Palawan Governor Joel T Reyes, who will be running for the post of second district congressman, former Governor and COMELEC commissioner and Palawan Governor Alfredo Abueg, also former first district congressman and Palawan Vice Governor David Ponce De Leon, whose daughter is running in the first district as a provincial broad member.

The ‘ticket’ or lineup for Congressman Mitra’s gubernatorial bid is listed as follows:

Pwersa ng Mamamayang Palawenyo(PMP)
Filing of Cerficate’s of Candidacy
Nov. 28, 2009
Gov. Abraham Kahlil “BAHAM” B. Mitra
Vice-Gov. Femes Reyes
Cong.2nd District. Joel T. Reyes
2nd District Board Members:
1.Pamela Ponce De Leon-Garcia
2.Frederick Abueg
3.Rolando Bonoan, JR.
4.Cipriano Barroma
5.Celsa Adier
1st District Board Members:
1.Jim Gerald Pe
2.Winston Arzaga
3.Roseller Pineda
4.Direck Pablico
5.Ramon Zabala

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